Adjustable support garment with harness system

ABSTRACT

A harness system for adjusting support of a garment is provided herein. The garment with a harness system includes a body and a liner having harness straps. The harness straps slide through openings in shoulder straps of the body. The harness straps are then laced through a series of maintainers in the back of the body. The harness straps having terminally-located tabs that may be pulled from the back of the body toward the front of the body and affixed thereto. The placement of the tabs, when pulled toward the front of the body and attached thereto, determines the fit and support of the garment. By manipulating the tabs of the harness system, a wearer may adjust the length of the harness straps, back and posture support, and the lift provided by the liner. The harness system creates a customizable fit and support level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application, entitled “Adjustable Support Garment withHarness System” (Attorney Docket No. 328400/150852US03CON), is acontinuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/458,174, filedon 14 Mar. 2017 and entitled “Adjustable Support Garment With HarnessSystem,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/314,118, filed on 28 Mar. 2016, entitled “AdjustableSupport Garment With Harness System,” which are all herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a garment having adjustable supportprovided by harness features.

BACKGROUND

Conventional support garments, such as bras, often lack features thatenable a wearer to customize the amount of support provided by the bra.Further, when features such as hook closures or strap adjustmentfeatures are provided, they are often difficult for the wearer to accessor may not be intuitive to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present aspects are described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear view of a bra having adjustable support providedby a harness system, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged view of the bra of FIG. 1, in accordance withan aspect herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the bra of FIG. 1, in accordance with anaspect herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a front, perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a front, perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1 with aportion of the bra body removed, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the bra of FIG. 1 with a portion of thebra body removed, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 7 depicts another side view of the bra of FIG. 1 with a portion ofthe bra body removed, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 8 depicts an internal view of the left side of the bra of FIG. 1,in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 9 depicts an overhead view of the bra of FIG. 1, in accordance withan aspect herein;

FIG. 10 depicts a front view of a left liner cup of the bra of FIG. 1,in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section of the left liner cup of FIG. 10, inaccordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 12 depicts a rear view of the bra of FIG. 1 with a left harnessstrap in a detached position, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 13 depicts a front view of the bra of FIG. 1 with a left harnessstrap in a detached position, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of the bra of FIG. 1 with a left harnessstrap in a detached position, in accordance with an aspect herein;

FIG. 15 depicts a front, perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1 with aleft harness strap in a partially attached position, in accordance withan aspect herein;

FIG. 16 depicts a rear view of a bra having adjustable support providedby a harness system, in accordance with an aspect herein; and

FIG. 17 depicts a front, perspective view of the bra of FIG. 16, inaccordance with an aspect herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Present aspects described herein are intended in all respects to beillustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the presentaspects pertain without departing from its scope. From the following, itwill be seen that aspects herein are well adapted to attain all the endsand objects set forth above, together with other advantages that areobvious and inherent. It will be understood that certain features andsubcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and iswithin the scope of the claims.

An adjustable support harness system utilized in a garment, such as abra, is provided herein. The adjustable support harness system, asutilized in a bra, for example, includes a pair of harness straps, whichare coupled to a liner or a cup liner at one end and to a tab structure(e.g., a tab) at the opposite end. Each of the harness straps areconfigured to be fed through an aperture or opening in a correspondingright or left strap of the body of the garment. These openings are sizedto allow the harness straps to slide through said openings and maintainthe placement and orientation of the harness straps during adjustment,in some aspects. The harness straps are then laced through a series ofmaintainers or fittings that are integrated with or coupled to theexterior of a back portion of the garment. A maintainer may be anintegrally formed structure or fitting of the bra body or may be anexternal structure or fitting that is coupled to the bra body, inaspects. Exemplary maintainers may include a loop, ring, a d-ring, ahook, a lace hook, a slide, a grommet, an eyelet, an adjuster slide, anaperture, an opening, and/or a clasp. Exemplary maintainers may includematerials that exhibit a degree of rigidity so as to maintain an eye, anopening, or a loop-like shape in a resting state. The configuration ofthe series of maintainers may help to reduce collapse of the bra bodyshoulder straps during adjustment.

In order to adjust the garment using the adjustable support harnesssystem, the tabs may be pulled or manipulated to tighten or loosen eachof the harness straps, which in turn adjusts the liner at the other endof the harness straps. The tabs are generally pulled from the back ofthe body, wrapped around the sides of the body, and are affixed at ornear the front and/or sides of the body. However, it will be understoodby those having skill in the art that the tabs may be accessible at ornear the front and/or sides of the bra body for convenience inadjustment.

Because of the interconnection between the liner, harness straps,openings in the shoulder straps, and maintainers, a wearer can adjustthe fit of the harness straps, a level of back or posture support,and/or the degree of lift of the liner with a single manipulation of thetab of the adjustable support harness system. Additionally, the harnesssystem may be configured to provide a same-side adjustment. For example,the right harness strap and a first section of the liner are adjusted bymanipulating a right tab, while the fit and support of the left harnessstrap and a second section of the liner is similarly adjusted bymanipulating a left tab. The same-side adjustment feature reducesconfusion for a wearer and improves the ease in which the harness systemmay be adjusted. Alternatively, the harness system may be configured toprovide an opposite-side adjustment. For example, the right harnessstrap and the first section of the liner may be adjusted by manipulatinga left tab, while the fit and support of the left harness strap and thesecond section of the liner may be adjusted by manipulating a right tab.Although a same-side adjustment feature is provided in the exemplaryfigures of this disclosure, these figures should not be construed aslimiting the disclosure to a same-side adjustment feature, as anopposite-side adjustment feature may be used and is considered to bewithin the scope of this disclosure.

For simplicity, a bra or bra-type garment is described herein. However,the discussion of the adjustable harness system as useable with a brashould not be construed as limiting, and other clothing or garments areconsidered to be within the scope of the disclosure. Exemplary garmentsthat use the adjustable harness system described herein may include acamisole, a shirt, a tank top, a blouse, a bralette, a dress, andswimwear, for example. Accordingly, it will be understood that theadjustable harness system may be used with relation to other garmentsand the examples provided by the figures herein are merely illustrativein nature.

Additionally, it will be understood that, generally, directionaldescriptions used herein, such as left or right, front or back, up ordown, are used relative to basic anatomical convention in order toprovide consistency and alleviate confusion in the description of theadjustable support harness system when shown from the various vantagepoints provided in the figures herein. As an example, directionaldescriptions are used with respect to the garment being in an as-wornconfiguration with the wearer standing in the anatomical position.

Accordingly, in one aspect, an article of apparel is provided. Thearticle comprises a body. The body comprises at least a front portionand a back portion, each having a lower margin, in one aspect. The bodyalso comprises a first side with respect to a hypothetical midline axisthat bisects the body into generally equal right and left halves, insome aspects. And the body further comprises a second side with respectto the hypothetical midline axis, in one aspect. The body comprises afirst shoulder strap having a first aperture and a second shoulder straphaving a second aperture, in aspects. The back portion of the bodycomprises at least a first pair of maintainers, in some aspects, suchthat each maintainer is positioned opposite the other maintainer withrespect to the hypothetical midline axis. In further aspects, the backportion comprises a second pair of maintainers. In one further aspect,each of the maintainers of the first pair of maintainers is attached tothe back portion at a first distance from the hypothetical midline axis,and each maintainer of the second pair of maintainers is attached to theback portion at a second distance from the hypothetical midline axis,wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. And insome further aspects, the back portion further comprises a third pair ofmaintainers, wherein a first lengthwise distance, as measured along thehypothetical midline axis, between the first pair of maintainers and thesecond pair of maintainers is greater than a second lengthwise distancebetween the third pair of maintainers and the second pair ofmaintainers.

Continuing, the article further comprises a liner, in aspects. The lineris positioned adjacent and internal to the body, in aspects. In someaspects, at least a portion of the liner is coupled to the front portionof the body. The liner has a first harness strap and a second harnessstrap, in some aspects. In one aspect, the first and second harnessstraps are positioned adjacent to the first and second shoulder straps.In some aspects, the first harness strap is adapted to pass through thefirst aperture and at least one maintainer of the first pair ofmaintainers. In one aspect, the first harness strap has a terminallylocated first tab. In some aspects, the second harness strap is adaptedto pass through the second aperture and at least one maintainer of thefirst pair of maintainers, and further has a terminally located secondtab. In aspects, the first side of the body includes a first attachmentelement to which the first tab is adapted to be attached and the secondside includes a second attachment element to which the second tab isadapted to be attached. In further aspects, the first attachment elementand the second attachment element are located proximate to the lowermargin. The first attachment element and the second attachment element,in some aspects, include one or more fasteners useable for removeablyattaching to the first tab and the second tab, respectively. In oneaspect, the liner further comprises a first support pad and a secondsupport pad, the first support pad and second support pad extendinginwardly from a surface plane of the liner. In one further aspect, thefirst and second support pads are embedded between two or more layers ofmaterial of the liner.

Another aspect provides for a garment having adjustable support providedby a harness system. The garment comprises a body. In one aspect, thebody comprises, at least, a front portion, a first side with respect toa hypothetical vertical midline axis, and a second side with respect tothe hypothetical vertical midline axis. The body also comprises, in oneaspect, a first shoulder strap having a first aperture and a secondshoulder strap having a second aperture. The body comprises a backportion, in aspects. The back portion of the body comprises, at least, afirst set of maintainers and a second set of maintainers. In someaspects, each set of maintainers having, at least, a first sidemaintainer and a second side maintainer. In such aspects, the first sidemaintainer may be attached to the back portion opposite a second sidemaintainer also attached to the back portion with respect to thehypothetical vertical midline axis. And, in some aspects, the first setof maintainers is attached to the back portion above the second set ofmaintainers, with respect to a lower margin of the body. In one furtheraspect, the first set of maintainers is attached to the back portion ata first lengthwise distance from the lower margin as measured along thehypothetical vertical midline axis, and wherein the first lengthwisedistance facilitates distribution of tensional forces during adjustment.In one aspect, each maintainer of the second pair of maintainers ispositioned at one or more seam lines. The garment further comprises aliner. In one aspect, the liner is attached to an interior surface ofthe body at one or more locations. In some aspects, the liner has afirst section and a second section. The first section of the linercomprises a first harness strap and the second section of the linercomprises a second harness strap, in some aspects. In a further aspect,the first section and the second section of the liner are attached tothe interior of the front portion of the body at one or more locations.In one aspect, the first harness strap is adapted to pass through thefirst aperture, cross the hypothetical vertical midline axis, andsequentially pass through at least one maintainer of the first set ofmaintainers and at least one maintainer of the second set ofmaintainers. In a further aspect, the first harness strap terminates ina right tab. In one aspect, the second harness strap is adapted to passthrough the second aperture, cross the hypothetical vertical midlineaxis, and sequentially pass through at least one maintainer of the firstset of maintainers and at least one maintainer of the second set ofmaintainers. In a further aspect, the second harness strap terminates ina second tab. The first side of the body includes a first attachmentelement to which the first tab is adapted to be attached, and the secondside of the body includes a second attachment element to which thesecond tab is adapted to be attached, in aspects. The attachment of thefirst tab to the first attachment element shifts the first section ofthe liner from a first support position to a second support position,and the attachment of the second tab to the second attachment elementshifts the second section of the liner from a first support position toa second support position, in aspects. And in one aspect, each of thefirst and second sections of the liner include at least a first zone anda second zone, the first zone having a first molding characteristic andthe second zone having a second molding characteristic different thanthe first molding characteristic. In such an aspect, the first moldingcharacteristic has a reduced modulus of elasticity relative to thesecond molding characteristic, for example. Additionally oralternatively, in one aspect, the first zone and the second zone areformed from the same one or more materials. In one aspect, the firstzone is located superior to the second zone with respect to the lowermargin.

In yet another aspect, an article of apparel having adjustable supportprovided by a harness system is provided. The article comprises a body.The body comprises, at least, a front portion, a first side with respectto a hypothetical vertical midline axis, and a second side with respectto the hypothetical vertical midline axis, in aspects. The body furthercomprises a first shoulder strap coupled to the front portion, the firstshoulder strap having a first aperture adjacent to where the firstshoulder strap is coupled to the front portion, in one aspect. And, inone aspect, the body comprises a second shoulder strap coupled to thefront portion, the second shoulder strap having a second apertureadjacent to where the second shoulder strap is coupled to the frontportion. In aspects, the body comprises a back portion, and the backportion comprises at least a first pair of maintainers, a second pair ofmaintainers, and a third pair of maintainers. In one aspect, each pairof maintainers has a first maintainer placed opposite a secondmaintainer with respect to the hypothetical vertical midline axis. Insome aspects, with respect to a lower margin of the body, the first pairof maintainers is positioned superior to the second pair of maintainersand the second pair of maintainers is positioned superior to the thirdpair of maintainers. The article further comprises a liner having afirst section and a second section. In one aspect, each of the first andsecond sections comprise at least a first zone and a second zone, thefirst zone having greater elasticity than the second zone. The firstsection of the liner further comprises, in one aspect, a first harnessstrap extending from the first zone of the first section. And the firstharness strap is adapted to pass through the first aperture andsequentially pass through at least one maintainer of the first, second,and third pairs of maintainers, wherein the first harness strap passesbetween the first side and the second side an even number of times, insome aspects. The first harness strap terminates at a first tab, in oneaspect. The second section of the liner further comprises a secondharness strap extending from the first zone of the second section, inaspects. In one aspect, the second harness strap is adapted to passthrough the second aperture and sequentially pass through at least onemaintainer of the first, second, and third pairs of maintainers, whereinthe second harness strap passes between the first side and the secondside an even number of times. In some aspects, the second harness strapterminates at a second tab. In some aspects, the first side of the bodyfurther comprises a first attachment element to which the first tab isadapted to be attached. And in some aspects, the second side of the bodyfurther comprises a second attachment element to which the second tab isadapted to be attached. Attachment of the first tab to the firstattachment element shifts the first section of the liner from a firstsupport position to a second support position, and attachment of thesecond tab to the second attachment element shifts the second section ofthe liner from a first support position to a second support position, inaspects.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a rear view of a support garment such as abra having an adjustable support harness system is provided inaccordance with an aspect herein. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bra 100comprises a bra body 102 that acts as an exterior barrier, outer layer,and/or shell structure of the bra 100. In some aspects, the bra body 102provides a support structure for stabilizing the harness systemcomponents during adjustment of the bra 100. As will be understood, theterm “bra body” should not be construed as limiting, as a body of anygarment type is capable of having the adjustable support harness systemas described herein and is considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure. A body might refer to one or more fabric panels of acamisole, a shirt, a tank top, or a dress, for example. In one exemplaryaspect, the bra body 102 may include one or more panels of fabric and/ormaterial. In another exemplary aspect, the bra body 102 may beconstructed using a continuous panel of fabric to provide a seamless ornearly seamless garment.

In one aspect, the bra body 102 comprises one or more panels of a fabrichaving at least one of a compression characteristic, a moisture wickingcapability, and/or a coating that increases the rigidity of the bra bodyfabric. As used herein, exemplary compression characteristics mayinclude a modulus of elasticity (e.g., a measurement of a material orsubstance's resistance to elastic non-permanent deformation), wherein asthe modulus increases, the amount of elasticity provided by a materialdecreases. Materials having an increased or high modulus of elasticitymay provide for a “lockdown” characteristic that reduces or minimizeselasticity and increases support of the structure. Exemplary materialshaving a high or increased modulus of elasticity include polyester,cotton duck, twill, and linen. Exemplary materials having a low modulusof elasticity include elastane and some jersey fabrics. One or more ofthe materials may be coated or treated with polyurethane (PU),thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, and the like, for example,in order to increase the modulus of elasticity of one or more portionsof a garment. It will be understood that compression capabilities mayhelp to reduce unwanted upward bounce of breast tissue when the bra 100is in an as-worn configuration, and further, that additional rigiditymay provide strength and durability to the bra 100 structure.

Generally, the bra body 102 includes a front portion 104 (see, e.g.,front portion 104 in FIG. 13) and a back portion 106. When the bra 100is in an as-worn configuration, the front portion 104 corresponds to aventral side (e.g., anterior) of a wearer of the bra 100. As will beapparent, the ventral side of a wearer may generally include theclavicle area, the front torso, and breast tissue, for example. And, inthe as-worn configuration, the back portion 106 corresponds to a dorsalside (e.g., posterior) of a wearer of the bra 100. The dorsal side of awearer may include, for instance, the rear shoulder area including thescapulae, and the rear torso, for example. As described herein, thefront portion 104 is a front-facing portion of the bra body 102 when inan as-worn configuration, in one aspect. Additionally or alternatively,the back portion 106 is a rear-facing portion of the bra body 102.

The bra body 102 further comprises a first side or a “left” side 108 anda second side or “right” side 110. In one embodiment, the right side 110and the left side 108 correspond to opposite sides of the bra body 102,with respect to a hypothetical midline axis 112. It will be understoodthat the hypothetical midline axis 112 is an imaginary or hypotheticalline that generally bisects the bra body 102 into equal right and lefthalves, or equal first and second halves. The hypothetical midline axis112 may run in a vertical direction, from a lower margin 103 of the brabody 102 in an upward direction towards straps (as will be describedhereinafter) of the bra body 102, for example. The lower margin 103refers to an edge or boundary of the bra 100 located opposite the rightand left shoulder straps 114 and 118. As used herein, the terms shoulderstraps and body straps are used interchangeably. The midline axis 112 isreferred to herein to provide a simplified and clear description of thebra body 102 structure. It will further be understood that the midlineaxis 112 is generally parallel to or corresponds with a sagittal planeof common anatomical convention. Therefore, it will be understood bythose in the relevant field that, in the as-worn configuration, the leftside 108 of the bra body 102 corresponds to the left side of a wearerand the right side 110 of the bra body 102 corresponds to the right sideof a wearer. It will be understood that the directional terms “left” and“right” are used conventionally herein for simplicity but may be usedinterchangeably with numerical terms such as first and second, forexample.

In aspects, the bra body 102 includes a right underarm area 111 and aleft underarm area 113, with the left side 108 including the leftunderarm area 113 and the right side 110 including the right underarmarea 111. An underarm area may be located between the front portion 104and the back portion 106. In one aspect, an underarm area bridges orspans the bra body 102 where the front portion 104 transitions into theback portion 106. In one aspect, an underarm area generally refers to aportion of the bra body 102 structure that corresponds to and generallyis located underneath an opening configured to receive an appendage(e.g., an arm) of a wearer when the bra 100 is in an as-wornconfiguration. For example, at FIG. 3, a side view of the bra of FIG. 1is presented in accordance with an aspect herein, with a left underarmarea 113 clearly illustrated. With respect to the midline axis 112, anunderarm area may be positioned to the right and/or left outermostposition relative to the midline axis 112 as allowed by the bra body 102structure itself.

In a further aspect, the left underarm area 113 is defined by a leftlateral edge 115 of the bra body 102. The left lateral edge 115 forms anedge of the left side 108 of the bra body 102. The left lateral edge 115generally corresponds to at least a portion of an edge along, orforming, an opening that accommodates the left arm when the bra 100 isin an as-worn configuration. Similarly, the right underarm area 111 isdefined by a right lateral edge 117 of the right side 110 of the brabody 102, in one aspect. The right lateral edge 117 corresponds to atleast a portion of an edge along, or forming, an opening configured toreceive the right arm when the bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration,for example. The term “lateral” is used herein with respect to themidline axis 112.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the bra body 102 includes a rightshoulder strap 114 with a first aperture 116 and a left shoulder strap118 with a second aperture 120. The right shoulder strap 114 is placedon the right side 110 of the bra body 102, and the left shoulder strap118 is placed on the left side 108 of the bra body 102, with the rightand left shoulder straps 114 and 118 being non-adjustable straps, in oneexemplary aspect. Alternatively, the right and left shoulder straps 114and 118 may comprise adjustable straps. In another aspect, where each ofthe right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 include distinct frontand back sections connected to one another, at least a portion of theright and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 may be adjustable, forexample, by tightening the adjustable section with a slide. The rightand left shoulder straps 114 and 118 run from the front portion 104 tothe back portion 106 in order to connect the front portion 104 to theback portion 106. As such, the front portion 104 may be coupled to atleast a first end of the right shoulder strap 114 and at least a firstend of the left shoulder strap 118, while in a further aspect, the backportion 106 may be coupled to at least a second end of the rightshoulder strap 114 and at least a second end of the left shoulder strap118.

In some aspects, the first aperture 116 of the right shoulder strap 114and the second aperture 120 of the left shoulder strap 118 may compriseopenings in the fabric and/or materials comprising the right and leftshoulder straps 114 and 118 of the bra body 102. Exemplary openings maycomprise a slit-type opening, an oval-shaped opening, a circularopening, and/or any shape or type of opening (e.g., an eyelet, abuttonhole, a grommet) that is configured to accommodate and position aharness strap used for adjusting the bra 100, as will be describedhereinafter. The first aperture 116 and second aperture 120 may becreated with any number of exemplary manufacturing techniques, forexample, laser-cutting and die cutting. In another aspect, the firstaperture 116 and second aperture 120 are formed by gaps in the weave orknit of the fabric and/or materials of the bra body 102. It will beunderstood that any number and kind of apertures may be present in theright and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 and as such are considered tobe within the scope of this disclosure.

The first aperture 116 and the second aperture 120 are generallypositioned near the first ends of the right and left shoulder straps 114and 118. To put it another way, the first aperture 116 and the secondaperture 120 may be positioned nearer the front portion 104 than theback portion 106. In other exemplary aspects, the first and secondapertures 116 and 120 may be positioned nearer the back portion 106 thanthe front portion 104, or at an intermediate or midway position betweenthe front portion 104 and the back portion 106. In one example, thefirst aperture 116 and the second aperture 120 may be positioned atsimilar locations on the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118,although they may also assume a staggered orientation with respect toone another such that one aperture is positioned nearer the frontportion 104 than the other aperture.

In some aspects, the first aperture 116 may be located at an apex and/orwithin an apex region of the right shoulder strap 114. The placement ofan aperture within an apex region of a corresponding strap may stabilizeand retain a harness strap during adjustment of the bra 100 via theadjustable support harness system. Generally, an apex region refers toan area of a strap that corresponds to the shoulder top of a wearer whenthe bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration with the apex regiondetermined vertically with respect to the midline axis 112. For example,an apex and/or apex region may refer to a portion of a correspondingstrap that connects the front portion 104 to the back portion 106 suchthat when the bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration, the apex and/orapex region of a corresponding strap is generally configured to contactand/or “rest” upon a wearer's shoulders. Similarly, the second aperture120 may be placed at an apex and/or within an apex region of the leftshoulder strap 118.

In exemplary aspects, the back portion 106 of the bra body 102 maycomprise one or more pair of maintainers configured to receive andretain harness straps for adjusting the bra 100 using the adjustablesupport harness system. To put it another way, a maintainer is a featureuseable to anchor a harness strap to the bra body 102. As used herein, a“maintainer” may be any structure or fitting, integrated with or coupledto the bra body 102, that redirects a tensional force, such as a forceapplied by or to a harness strap. In one example, a maintainer may takethe form of an aperture in the bra body 102 or a fabric panel thereofthrough which a harness strap may be passed. In another example, amaintainer may comprise a length of material having two terminal endsthat are each attached to the bra body 102, such that a harness strap,for example, may be passed under a remaining unattached portion of thematerial. In some aspects, the maintainers may be permanently attachedor non-permanently attached to the bra body 102. Examples of attachmentinclude use of adhesives, heat bonding, stitching, embedding betweenfabric layers, and/or knotting.

The maintainers described herein may form one or more sets ofmaintainers, one or more pairs of maintainers, and/or a combinationthereof. As will be understood, the back portion 106 may include one ormore maintainers, one or more pairs of maintainers, one or more sets ofmaintainers, or a combination thereof, such that the number, placement,location, type, or kind of maintainers depicted in the illustrativefigures herein are examples only and should not be construed aslimiting. For example, although three pairs of maintainers are depictedin FIG. 1, it will be understood that the bra 100 may include only onepair of maintainers, for example.

In one aspect, the back portion 106 includes a first pair ofmaintainers. In a further aspect, the back portion 106 additionallyincludes a second pair of maintainers. In yet a further aspect, the backportion 106 also includes a third pair of maintainers. Generally, a pairof maintainers comprises a right maintainer that corresponds to theright side 110 and a left maintainer that corresponds to the left side108. In one aspect, the first pair of maintainers includes a rightmaintainer 122A and a left maintainer 122B, the second pair ofmaintainers includes a right maintainer 124A and a left maintainer 124B,and the third pair of maintainers includes a right maintainer 126A and aleft maintainer 126B, as shown in FIG. 1. Generally, a right maintaineris placed opposite a left maintainer with respect to the midline axis112.

The bra 100 further includes a liner or cup liner 128, as shown inFIG. 1. As used herein, the term “cup liner” should not be construed aslimiting, but rather is merely descriptive of a particular aspect of theadjustable harness system as used in the bra 100 pictured. However, itwill be understood that the liner (e.g., cup liner) may not includeseparate or distinct bra-type cups, but rather, may be a continuous ormolded liner form that provides bust support, for example. As usedherein, the term “cup” refers to a structure that provides support forbreast tissue and the term is not limited to the plain and ordinarymeaning. And it will be understood that a liner of the adjustableharness system may be included in other garments such as shirts andswimwear, for example, to provide bust support with or without distinctcup forms. As such, the terms “cup” and “cup liner” may be usedinterchangeably with section, panel, portion, or half, for example, torefer to part of the liner.

The cup liner 128 includes a right harness strap 134 coupled to a rightliner cup 130 and a left harness strap 136 coupled to a left liner cup132. In some aspects, each harness strap may be coupled to a respectivefirst section or second section of a liner, for example. The right andleft harness straps 134 and 136 may pass through the first and secondapertures 116 and 120 of the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118,respectively, and are further used in tandem with the maintainers of thebra body 102 to at least provide an adjustment to an amount of supportprovided by the right liner cup 130 and the left liner cup 132.Accordingly, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 may beadjusted independently from the right and left shoulder straps 114 and118 using a right tab 138 and/or left tab 140. The right tab 138comprises a terminal portion of the right harness strap 134, and theleft tab 140 comprises a terminal portion of the left harness strap 136,in one aspect. In a further aspect, the right tab 138 is configured tobe coupled to a right attachment element 142, while the left tab 140 isconfigured to be coupled to a left attachment element 144 of the brabody 102. At FIG. 1, the right and left tabs 138 and 140 are showncoupled to the right and left attachment elements 142 and 144, at leasta portion of which are visible. The right and left harness straps 134and 136 are independently adjustable by using the right and left tabs138 and 140 to pull or release the right and left harness straps 134 and136 through the maintainers of the back portion 106. In this way, thewearer may independently adjust the right and left tabs 138 and 140 toadjust the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 through themaintainers of the back portion 106 in order to create a customized fitof the bra 100 via the adjustable support harness system. And the wearermay adjust how much of the right and left tabs 138 and 140 overlay theright and left attachment elements 142 and 144. It will be understoodthat the right tab 138, the left tab 140, the right attachment element142, and the left attachment element 144 may be any size or shape, andthe exemplary depictions of the bra 100 are illustrative in nature onlyand should not be construed as limiting.

Returning to the back portion 106, the right and left maintainers ofeach pair and/or set may be placed similarly to one another and withrespect to the midline axis 112. Generally, a right and left maintainerof the same pair may be located at any distance from the midline axis112, as measured perpendicular to the midline axis 112. A right and leftmaintainer of the same pair may be placed equidistant to a midline axis112, measured perpendicular to the midline axis 112, for example.Alternatively, the right and left maintainer of the same pair may beplaced at different distances from the midline axis 112. Continuing, aright and left maintainer of the same pair may be similarly placedlengthwise, as measured along the midline axis 112, starting from thelower margin 103 and measuring in an upward direction towards the apexregion of the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118. For example,right and left maintainers of each pair may be placed the samelengthwise distance as measured from the lower margin 103 along themidline axis 112, in some aspects.

The placement of maintainers and/or maintainer pairs as measuredperpendicular to the midline axis 112 may act to help reduce collapse ofthe bra body 102 and/or the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118when adjusting the bra 100 using the adjustable support harness system.Additionally or alternatively, the placement of maintainers and/ormaintainer pairs as measured lengthwise with respect to the midline axis112 may act to reduce collapse when adjustments are made using theadjustable support harness system. At a high level, collapse refers to ashifting movement of the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118inward toward the midline axis 112. For example, the right maintainer122A of the first pair may be placed at a first position and the leftmaintainer 122B may be placed at a second position. The first positionand second position of the right maintainer 122A and the left maintainer122B may facilitate the distribution of tensional force duringadjustment of the bra 100, so that collapse of the bra structure isreduced. The first position of the right maintainer 122A may be a firstdistance from the midline axis 112, as measured perpendicular to themidline axis 112. The second position of the left maintainer 122B mayalso be a first distance from the midline axis 112, as measuredperpendicular to the midline axis 112, such that the first position andthe second position are the same distance from the midline axis 112. Inan alternative example, the first and second positions are located atdifferent distances from the midline axis 112, as measured perpendicularto the midline axis 112.

Additionally or alternatively, the first position of the rightmaintainer 122A may be placed at a first lengthwise distance, and thesecond position of the left maintainer 122B may also be placed at afirst lengthwise distance, such that the location of the right and leftmaintainers 122A and 122B at the back portion 106 are the same in thisregard. In an alternative example, the first and second positions areplaced at different lengthwise distances. The lengthwise distances ofthe first and second positions may be purposefully chosen to reducecollapse of the bra structure during adjustment.

Additionally or alternatively, the right maintainer 124A of the secondpair may be placed at a third position. The third position may be placedat a second lengthwise distance. The left maintainer 124B of the secondpair may be placed at a fourth position, where the fourth position isalso placed at a second lengthwise distance. In such an example, thethird and fourth positions provide that the right and left maintainers124A and 124B of the second pair are similarly located with respect tothe midline axis 112, starting from the lower margin 103 and measuringin an upward direction towards the apex region of the right and leftshoulder straps 114 and 118. In an alternative example, the third andfourth positions are placed at different lengthwise distances. Thelengthwise distances of the third and fourth positions may bepurposefully chosen to reduce collapse of the bra structure duringadjustment.

In one aspect, the first and second positions of the right and leftmaintainers 122A and 122B of the first pair are placed above or superiorto the third and fourth positions of the right and left maintainers 124Aand 124B of the second pair, as measured along the midline axis 112 andwith respect to the lower margin 103, such that the first and secondpositions of the right and left maintainers 122A and 122B of the firstpair are located nearer the apex region than the third and fourthpositions of the right and left maintainers 124A and 124B of the secondpair, for example. And further, the third and fourth positions arelocated nearer the lower margin 103 than the first and second positions,in such an example. As used herein, “above” refers to location(s) of thebra 100 proximate to the apex region, whereas the term “below” refers tolocation(s) of the bra 100 proximate to the lower margin 103, such thatwhen a first element is located above a second element, the firstelement is nearer the apex than the second element, and the secondelement is nearer the lower margin 103 than the first element, forexample. Continuing, the first, second, third, and fourth positions ofcorresponding maintainers may be determined in order to reduce collapseof the bra body 102 and/or the right and left shoulder straps 114 and118 when adjusting the bra 100 using the adjustable support harnesssystem.

Additionally, in further aspects, the third and fourth positions of theright and left maintainers 124A and 124B of the second pair, as measuredlengthwise along the midline axis 112 and with respect to the lowermargin 103, are positioned above a fifth position of a right maintainer126A and a sixth position of a left maintainer 126B of the third pair. Alengthwise measurement of the third and fourth positions of the secondpair may be different than a lengthwise measurement of the fifth andsixth positions of the third pair, for example. In one example, thefirst pair of maintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers 122A and122B) may be positioned above the second pair of maintainers (e.g.,right and left maintainers 124A and 124B) and further, the second pairof maintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers 124A and 124B) may beplaced above the third pair of maintainers (e.g., right and leftmaintainers 126A and 126B) as measured lengthwise with respect to themidline axis 112 and with respect to the lower margin 103. As will beunderstood, the positions of one or more pairs of maintainers depictedin exemplary FIG. 1 should not be construed as limiting, as theplacement and lengthwise measurements of each maintainer of each pairmay be adjusted or changed and still be within the scope of thisdisclosure.

In one example, the first pair of maintainers (e.g., right and leftmaintainers 122A and 122B) may be placed at a first distance measuredperpendicular to the midline axis 112 and the second pair of maintainers(e.g., right and left maintainers 124A and 124B) may be placed at asecond distance measured perpendicular to the midline axis 112, whereinthe second distance is greater than the first distance, for example. Insuch an example, the first pair of maintainers (e.g., right and leftmaintainers 122A and 122B) may be located closer to the midline axis 112than the second pair of maintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers124A and 124B). In an alternative aspect, the second distance may beless than the first distance so that the second pair of maintainers(e.g., right and left maintainers 124A and 124B) is closer to themidline axis 112 than the first pair of maintainers (e.g., right andleft maintainers 122A and 122B).

The placement of maintainers may be described with respect to pairs,sets, individual maintainers, maintainers of the right side 110, and/ormaintainers of the left side 108. For example, the right maintainer 122Aof the first pair may be located above the right maintainer 124A of thesecond pair, and the right maintainer 124A of the second pair may belocated above the right maintainer 126A of the third pair when measuredalong a vertical direction of the midline axis 112. Accordingly, in suchan example, the right maintainer 122A is placed vertically higher thanthe right maintainer 124A such that the right maintainer 122A is locatednearer to the right shoulder strap 114 than the right maintainer 124A.Alternatively, the first, second, and third pairs of maintainers (e.g.,right and left maintainers 122A, 122B, 124A, 124B, 126A, and 126B) maybe placed in a different vertical configuration, as any number ofvertical maintainer configurations may be used to interface with theharness straps of the adjustable support harness system.

In further aspects, the first pair of maintainers is positioned atand/or near a right edge 123 and a left edge 125 of the back portion106, respectively. In one aspect, the positions of the maintainers at ornear the right edge 123 and the left edge 125 may reduce collapse of thebra body 102 and/or right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 duringadjustment of the bra 100 using the adjustable support harness system.

The pairs and/or sets of maintainers may be vertically spaced apart fromone another, such that each pair and/or set has a different lengthwisemeasurement (as previously described herein with respect to the midlineaxis 112 and the lower margin 103) than the other pairs or sets. In oneexample, a lengthwise measurement between the first pair of maintainers(e.g., right and left maintainers 122A and 122B) and the second pair ofmaintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers 124A and 124B), asmeasured in a vertical direction with respect to the midline axis 112,is greater than a lengthwise measurement between the second pair ofmaintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers 124A and 124B) and thethird pair of maintainers (e.g., right and left maintainers 126A and126B). Alternatively, the lengthwise measurement or vertical spacingbetween one or more pairs and/or sets of maintainers may be the same.Moreover, right or left maintainers of the same or different pairsand/or sets of maintainers may be horizontally and/or vertically spacedapart from other right or left maintainers, with respect to the midlineaxis 112.

Turning next to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the bra of FIG. 1 includesthe left maintainer 122B of the first pair of maintainers, the leftmaintainer 124B of the second pair of maintainers, and the leftmaintainer 126B of the third pair of maintainers, each maintainer placedat a different position on the left side 108. The positions of the leftmaintainers 122B, 124B, and 126B are different distances from themidline axis 112 and as measured perpendicular to the midline axis 112.In an alternative configuration, the positions of the left maintainers122B, 124B, and 126B may be the same distance from the midline axis 112and as measured perpendicular to the midline axis 112. In theillustrative aspect of FIG. 2, the left maintainer 122B of the firstpair of maintainers, the left maintainer 124B of the second pair ofmaintainers, and the left maintainer 126B of the third pair ofmaintainers are positioned differently on the left side 108 as measuredin a horizontal direction with respect to the midline axis 112. In oneexample, a first, horizontal distance measured from the midline axis 112to the left maintainer 122B of the first pair of maintainers is lessthan a second, horizontal distance measured from the midline axis 112 tothe left maintainer 124B of the second pair of maintainers. And inanother example, a distance measured from the midline axis 112 to theleft maintainer 124B of the second pair of maintainers is greater thananother distance measured from the midline axis 112 to the leftmaintainer 126B of the third pair of maintainers.

It will be understood that the maintainer configurations illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, including the number, vertical placement, horizontalplacement, and relative placement of maintainers, should not beconstrued as limiting as other configurations, placements, and/ordistances are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. Theconfiguration, placement, and/or distances of each maintainer in eachset and/or pair may be determined in order to increase or enhance theadjustment capabilities of the adjustable support harness of the bra100, and to provide a wearer with improved comfort, durability, andsupport. As such, the varied configuration, placement, and/or distancesof maintainers described herein may provide for a same-side adjustmentfeature of the harness straps of the adjustable support harness system.In further aspects, the back portion 106 includes one or more sets ofmaintainers, wherein each set of maintainers comprises multiple pairs ofright and left maintainers. Additionally, any number of sets ofmaintainers, pairs of maintainers, additional maintainers, and types ofmaintainer structures are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Continuing with FIG. 4, one aspect of the bra body 102 includes a cupliner 128 positioned at the interior of the bra body 102. As indicated,the cup liner 128 may be configured to contact the skin of a wearer whenthe bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration. Aspects of the cup liner 128include a right liner cup 130 and a left liner cup 132, and may beconstructed from one or more panels of one or more materials and/orfabrics. Generally, the cup liner 128 is configured to be positioned atan interior of the bra body 102, as indicted by dashed lines. The cupliner 128 helps to form a supportive layer of the bra 100, with theright and left liner cups 130 and 132 providing bra cup structuresconfigured to hold, secure, and/or support breast tissue when the bra100 is in an as-worn configuration. As shown in the example of FIG. 4,the right liner cup 130 corresponds to the right side 110 of the brabody 102, while the left liner cup 132 corresponds to the left side 108of the bra body 102.

Additional supportive functions of the cup liner 128 are furtherillustrated in FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the bra100 of FIG. 1 with a portion of the bra body 102 removed to reveal thecup liner 128. Similarly, FIG. 6 depicts a left side view of the bra 100of FIG. 1 with a portion of the bra body 102 removed, while FIG. 7depicts a right side view of the bra 100 of FIG. 1 with a portion of thebra body 102 removed. As revealed in FIGS. 5-7, the cup liner 128 mayinclude a right support pad 131 and a left support pad 133, eachcorresponding to a respective side. The right support pad 131 is furtherplaced adjacent the right liner cup 130, in some aspects. For example,the right support pad 131 may not be integrated with the right liner cup130, but placed alongside the right liner cup 130. Similarly, the leftsupport pad 133 may be located adjacent the left liner cup 132.Generally, the right and left support pads 131 and 133 include one ormore layers of foam materials and/or padding materials which, aspositioned, move or “push” breast tissue toward the front portion 104when the bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration. As such, the right andleft support pads 131 and 133 facilitate movement of breast tissue intorespective right and left liner cups 130 and 132 and aid in holding saidtissue therein. With breast tissue placed in the cup liner 128, the bra100 may be adjusted using the adjustable support harness system. Infurther aspects, the right and left support pads 131 and 133 are placedand/or sealed between one more layers of fabric comprising the cup liner128. The right support pad 131 and the left support pad 133 may beembedded between two or more layers of material or fabric that comprisethe cup liner 128 and/or the bra body 102, in some aspects. And theright support pad 131 and the left support pad 133 may extend inwardlyfrom the surface plane of the cup liner 128 (e.g., extend toward thebody of the wearer when the bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration). Byextending inward, the right support pad 131 and the left support pad 133may help to push breast tissue toward the front portion 104 and awayfrom the right underarm area 111 and the left underarm area 113, forexample.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, the cup liner 128 further comprises a rightharness strap 134 coupled to the right liner cup 130 and a left harnessstrap 136 coupled to the left liner cup 132. The right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 are employed in tandem with the maintainers of thebra body 102 to at least provide an adjustment to an amount of supportprovided by the right liner cup 130 and the left liner cup 132 of thecup liner 128. The right and left harness straps 134 and 136 maycomprise footwear-type laces, round lacing material, flat-type or planarlacing material, strings, ribbons, braided cords, knit cords, wovencords, nylon cords, neoprene, and/or one or more other materials.Exemplary materials may have a low coefficient of friction to promotethe ability of the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 to slidethrough the first and second apertures 116 and 120. Additionally oralternatively, exemplary materials may exhibit a lower modulus ofelasticity that imbues the right and left harness straps 134 and 136with stretch. As such, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 maybe made from any material capable of passing through the first andsecond apertures 116 and 120 of the harness structure.

In one aspect, the right harness strap 134 is coupled to the right linercup 130, such as by coupling a first end of the right harness strap 134to an apex region of the right liner cup 130, and/or to another portioncorresponding to an upper stretch region of the right liner cup 130. Asused herein, “coupled to” and “affixed to” refers to permanent and/ornon-permanent coupling, and the terms should not be construed aslimiting. Exemplary types of coupling or affixing include stitching,serging, gluing, heat fixing, heat bonding, pressure bonding, and/orother techniques or combinations thereof. Additionally, the left harnessstrap 136 is coupled to the left liner cup 132, such as by coupling afirst end of the left harness strap 136 to an apex region of the leftliner cup 132, determined vertically with respect to the midline axis112, and/or to another portion corresponding to an upper stretch regionof the left liner cup 132.

The right harness strap 134 is configured to pass through the firstaperture 116 of the right shoulder strap 114, while the left harnessstrap 136 is configured to pass through the second aperture 120 of theleft shoulder strap 118, in one aspect. The right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 are generally configured to move freely or travelthrough the first and second apertures 116 and 120 of the right and leftshoulder straps 114 and 118, respectively. In some aspects, the rightand left harness straps 134 and 136 are independently adjustable via theharness system. For instance, the right and left harness straps 134 and136 are adjustable by sliding through respective first and secondapertures 116 and 120, while the right and left shoulder straps 114 and118 remain stationary. Accordingly, the right and left harness straps134 and 136 may be adjusted independently from the right and leftshoulder straps 114 and 118.

When the harness system is used to adjust the bra 100, the right andleft harness straps 134 and 136 experience tensioning forces based onpulling and releasing each strap. During this action, the first andsecond apertures 116 and 120 may act to maintain the harness strapposition of the right and left harness straps 134 and 136, according tosome aspects. For instance, the first and second apertures 116 and 120may deter the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 from becomingdisplaced during adjustment, and from slipping or falling off theshoulders when the bra 100 is adjusted in an as-worn configuration.Therefore, the first and second apertures 116 and 120 may help toposition the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 at or within theapex region such that the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 lieadjacent to the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 generallyalong their length.

After passing through the first and second apertures 116 and 120,respectively, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 areconfigured to cross one another at the back portion 106, as illustratedin exemplary FIG. 1. Generally, the right harness strap 134 isconfigured to cross over the left harness strap 136 at the midline axis112. In another example, the left harness strap 136 is configured tocross over the right harness strap 134 at the midline axis 112.

After crossing the left harness strap 136, the right harness strap 134is configured to pass through at least one maintainer of each of thefirst, second, and third pairs of maintainers, in one aspect. And aftercrossing the right harness strap 134, the left harness strap 136 isconfigured to pass through at least one maintainer of each of the first,second, and third pairs of maintainers, in another aspect. In someaspects, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 crisscross backand forth over the midline axis 112 and the back portion 106 of the brabody 102. In further aspects, the right and left harness straps 134 and136 crisscross one another more than once at the back portion 106 of thebra body 102. In a further aspect, the right harness strap 134 isconfigured to sequentially pass through a left maintainer 122B of thefirst pair of maintainers, a right maintainer 124A of the second pair ofmaintainers, and a left maintainer 126B of the third pair ofmaintainers. Additionally, the left harness strap 136 is configured tosequentially pass through a right maintainer 122A of the first pair ofmaintainers, a left maintainer 124B of the second pair of maintainers,and a right maintainer 126A of the third pair of maintainers, in anotherfurther aspect, although other crossing patterns are contemplatedherein.

The crisscrossing nature of the right and left harness straps 134 and136 through a series of maintainers forms a portion of the adjustablesupport harness system. The number and placement of the maintainers mayfurther impact the adjustable support harness system. It will beunderstood that alternative configurations for “lacing” the right andleft harness straps 134 and 136 through various maintainers areconsidered to be within the scope of this disclosure and theconfiguration depicted in the exemplary figures herein should not beconstrued as limiting.

Continuing, the right harness strap 134 terminates in a right tab 138and the left harness strap 136 terminates in a left tab 140, as depictedin exemplary FIG. 1. The left tab 140 is additionally visible in FIG. 3.The right and left tabs 138 and 140 may be used to adjust the right andleft harness straps 134 and 136. The right and left tabs 138 and 140 areconfigured to be coupled to at least a portion of the bra body 102. Insome aspects, the right tab 138 is configured to be coupled to a rightattachment element 142 of the bra body 102, while the left tab 140 isconfigured to be coupled to a left attachment element 144 of the brabody 102.

In one aspect, the right and left attachment elements 142 and 144 arelocated at an exterior of the bra body 102. The right attachment element142 is placed at an exterior surface of the bra body 102 on the rightside 110, while the left attachment element 144 is placed at an exteriorsurface of the bra body 102 on the left side 108, in one aspect. Infurther aspects, the right and left attachment elements 142 and 144 areplaced at or near the right underarm area 111 and the left underarm area113 of the bra body 102. It will be understood that an attachmentelement and/or attachment mechanism may include an area having one ormore fasteners (e.g., snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties,etc.), such that the attachment element includes a variety of differentdegrees or locations of attachment. Exemplary fasteners includehook-and-loop fasteners, micro hook-and-loop fasteners, and fastenersformed integrally from the knit or weave of the fabric itself. In someaspects, the fasteners may be nearly invisible or indistinguishable tothe naked eye and might also be indistinguishable to the touch fromother portions of a garment lacking such fasteners. As such, the rightand left attachment elements 142 and 144 provide for a range ofattachment elements such that the right and left tabs 138 and 140 may beplaced at several different positions within the right and leftattachment elements 142 and 144. This range provides a wearer with theability to adjust the bra 100 by manipulating one or more of the rightand left tabs 138 and 140 in order to tighten or loosen the fit of theone or more of the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 connectedthereto, as is further discussed below.

Moreover, the placement of the right and left attachment elements 142and 144 may facilitate attaching the right and left tabs 138 and 140, assaid right and left tabs 138 and 140 are within a wearer's reach whenthe bra 100 is in an as-worn configuration. For example, a wearer maymanipulate one or more of the right and left tabs 138 and 140 anddetermine where to couple said right and left tabs 138 and 140 to theright and left attachment elements 142 and 144. Such manipulation maytighten or loosen the fit of the right and left harness straps 134 and136 as attached to the right and left tabs 138 and 140, and at theopposite end, as attached to the cup liner 128. Furthermore, the wearermay independently adjust the right and left tabs 138 and 140 to adjustthe right and left harness straps 134 and 136 in order to create acustomized fit of the bra 100 via the adjustable support harness system.

The configuration of maintainers and the configuration of the harnessstraps results in the tabs providing a same-side adjustment feature ofthe harness system of the bra 100. By manipulating the right tab 138,the right harness strap 134 is adjusted, and by manipulating the lefttab 140, the left harness strap 136 is adjusted, in one aspect.Therefore, the bra 100 and harness system provides a wearer with asame-side adjustment feature. The same-side adjustment feature reducesconfusion for a wearer. For example, attaching the right tab 138 to theright attachment element 142 adjusts the right harness strap 134 and theright liner cup 130. Further, attaching the left tab 140 to the leftattachment element 144 adjusts the left harness strap 136 and the leftliner cup 132. In some aspects, the same-side adjustment feature of theadjustable support harness system is produced by specificallyconfiguring a number of times for each harness strap to cross themidline axis 112.

For example, as shown in the exemplary aspect of FIG. 1, the rightharness strap 134 crosses the midline axis 112 four times, and the leftharness strap 136 crosses the midline axis 112 four times. In the rearof the bra 100, in exemplary aspects, each of the right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 cross the midline axis an even number of times. Assuch, the harness-strap-and-maintainer configuration having even numberof midline axis 112 crossings produces a same-side adjustment feature,with the right tab 138 coupling to the right attachment element 142 onthe right side 110 of the bra body 102 to adjust the right harness strap134 and the right liner cup 130, and the left tab 140 coupling to theleft attachment element 144 on the left side 108 of the bra body 102 toadjust the left harness strap 136 and the left liner cup 132. In someaspects, a same-side adjustment of the right liner cup 130 and the leftliner cup 132 may refer to a stretching force applied to a material ofthe respective cup liner in response to adjustment by the correspondingright harness strap 134 and left harness strap 136, as described infurther detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a deconstructed view of the left side of the bra100 of FIG. 1 depicts an interconnected relationship between the brabody 102, the cup liner 128, the harness straps (such as left harnessstrap 136), the apertures (such as second aperture 120), and themaintainers (such as left maintainers 124B and 126B) in the constructionof the bra 100. In the example of FIG. 8, the connection of the leftliner cup 132 to the left harness strap 136, which is then threadedthrough a series of maintainers including left maintainer 124B, providesan exemplary illustration of the interconnectedness of the harnesssystem.

FIG. 8 also illustrates a coupling between the cup liner 128 and the brabody 102 at least at one portion of the bra 100, such as, for example,at seam 121 and/or seam 137 of the bra body 102. In another aspect, thecup liner 128 may be coupled to the bra body 102 at one or moreadditional locations. For example, the cup liner 128 may be coupled tothe bra body 102 at the front portion 104, the back portion 106, theleft side 108, the right side 110, or a combination thereof. In anotherexample, a portion of the bra body 102 may be coupled in a continuousmanner to one or more portions of the cup liner 128. Therefore, duringadjustment of the bra 100, portions of the cup liner 128 may remainunattached from the bra body 102 and move freely so that each feature ofthe cup liner 128 is adjusted by the adjustable harness system, movingone or more of the right and left harness straps 134 and 136 andshifting at least a portion of the cup liner 128, while the bra body 102provides a stable and fixed structure for stabilizing the right and lefttabs 138 and 140. In one such aspect, the cup liner 128 is not attachedto the bra body 102 along a first upper edge 139 and a second upper edge141 of a left liner cup 132 and/or similarly oriented upper edges of theright liner cup. During bra 100 adjustment, the right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 may move through the first and second apertures 116and 120, respectively, while pulling on the cup liner 128 causing thefirst and second upper edges 139 and 141 to move vertically with respectto the midline axis 112. Because the first upper edge 139 and a secondupper edge 141 of the left liner cup 132 are unattached to the bra body102, the left liner cup 132 may shift and move based on the pulling of acorresponding left harness strap 136. And, during adjustment, each ofthe one or more maintainers, such as left maintainers 124B and 126B, maybe a coupled to a stationary portion of the cup liner 128, the bra body102, or a combination thereof, so as to remain in a fixed location.

In FIG. 8, left maintainers 124B and 126B are attached to the bra body102 at seam 137. In one aspect, the left maintainers 124B and 126B eachcomprise a length of cord embedded or secured between fabric layers suchthat a rounded portion of each cord is exposed at the back portion 106to form the exposed or visible portions of the left maintainers 124B and126B. In such an aspect, the length of cord may be affixed (e.g.,stitched) to the bra body 102 at one or more locations, including seam137 and/or seam 121. In the example of FIG. 8, left maintainers 124B and126B remain exteriorly exposed at the back portion 106. And theremaining maintainer materials (e.g., a length of cord) extends fromseam 137 to seam 121, where the remaining maintainer material is affixedto at least a portion of the cup liner 128 and/or the bra body 102, inthe aspect of exemplary FIG. 8. FIG. 8 may include an optionalpositioning strip (not shown).

For the purposes of this discussion, it will be understood that thesefigures illustrate exemplary aspects and should not be construed aslimiting. The bra body 102 and/or the cup liner 128 might includeadditional features not illustrated in the aspects depicted. At FIG. 9,an overhead view of the bra of FIG. 1 is shown in accordance with anaspect herein. In FIG. 9, the right harness strap 134 is located at theinterior of the bra body 102 prior to passing through the first aperture116, but is located at the exterior of the bra body 102 after passingthrough the first aperture 116. The left harness strap 136 also shifts,with respect to the bra body 102, from an interior placement to anexterior placement upon passing through the second aperture 120 of theleft shoulder strap 118.

Continuing with FIG. 9, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136,after passing through corresponding first and second apertures 116 and120 of the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118, are laced throughthe maintainers of the back portion 106. The stable and/orfixed-location maintainers anchor and/or tether one or more of the rightand left harness straps 134 and 136 to the back portion 106 of the brabody 102. In this way, the right and left harness straps 134 and 136,which are coupled to the right and left liner cups 130 and 132, and theright and left tabs 138 and 140, provide a flexible, movable featurethat is stabilized by the right and left shoulder straps 114 and 118 andsaid maintainers and which enables adjusting the bra 100 using theadjustable support harness system.

The adjustability of the bra 100 may be further enhanced bycharacteristics of the cup liner 128 construction. FIG. 10 depicts afront view of a left liner cup of the bra of FIG. 1 in accordance withan aspect herein, and FIG. 11 depicts a cross section of the left linercup of FIG. 10 in accordance with an aspect herein. The adjustablesupport provided by the harness system may be enhanced using zones ofthe right and left liner cups 130 and 132. The left liner cup 132comprises a first zone 148 and a second zone 150, in addition to theleft support pad 133. Although not shown in FIG. 10 or 11, the rightliner cup 130 includes a first zone and a second zone as well.Generally, the first zone 148 and the second zone 150 are formed fromthe same material. However, the first zone 148 may correspond to a firstmolding characteristic and the second zone 150 may correspond to asecond molding characteristic, in aspects. In exemplary aspects, thefirst zone 148 and the second zone 150 may exhibit differentcharacteristics and/or a different degree of the same characteristic. Adifferent molding technique, and/or a different degree of the samemolding technique, may be applied to each of the first zone 148 and thesecond zone 150 in order to imbue said first and second zones 148 and150 with characteristics that are not the same, or a different degree ofthe same characteristic.

For example, in one aspect, the first zone 148 has a first moldingcharacteristic comprising a degree of elasticity different than thesecond zone 150 having a second molding characteristic of decreasedelasticity, in comparison. Accordingly, the first zone 148 exhibits anincreased degree of elasticity and/or stretch than the second zone 150.Other exemplary characteristics are considered to be within the scope ofthis disclosure, such as density, ability to expand, thickness, abilityto retain shape, ability to resist distortion after wear and tear (e.g.,when a fabric “stretches” out), material breathability, material airpermeability, moisture-wicking properties, and the like.

In one aspect, the first zone 148 of a liner cup is located proximate toa harness strap coupled to the liner cup. The first zone 148 may abut orinclude an area where the harness strap is coupled to the liner cup, inanother aspect. In one example, the first zone 148 is placed nearer aharness strap than the second zone 150, as measured vertically withrespect to the midline axis 112. As such, manipulating a tab to adjustthe bra via the harness system moves a corresponding harness strap, andthe harness strap pulls upward on a corresponding left or right linercup of the cup liner 128. The upward force or pull experienced at theliner cups cause the first zone 148 of the manipulated liner cup to moveand/or stretch more than the second zone 150. For example, the leftharness strap may be pulled to generally apply force to the first zone148 of the left liner cup 132, while the right harness strap may bepulled to generally apply force to the first zone of the right linercup. Further, in some aspects, the first zone 148 stretches toaccommodate the force applied by each harness strap. While the firstzone 148 stretches, the second zone 150 is also pulled upward, measuredvertically with respect to the midline axis 112. However, because thesecond zone 150 is less elastic than the first zone 148, the second zone150 shifts upward a lesser distance than the first zone 148 is stretchedupward.

At FIG. 11, a first layer 152 and a second layer 154 have been moldedtogether to form the left liner cup 132 of FIG. 10. In aspects, thefirst layer 152 comprises stretch foam and the second layer 154comprises spacer material(s). However, in one example, the spacer in thesecond zone 150 may be treated (e.g., by compression during molding) toa greater degree than spacer in the first zone 148. Thus, albeit thesame spacer material(s) are present in the first and second zones 148and 150, the second zone 150 exhibits less elasticity and is more rigid,as the spacer material(s) corresponding thereto is more compressed.Alternatively, the second zone 150 may be treated to a lesser degreethan the spacer material in the first zone 148. In another alternativeaspect, at least one of the first and second zones 148 and 150 includeanother material the other zone lacks (i.e., comprising a different knitor weave, or the like), such that the fabric and material composition ofthe first and second zones 148 and 150 is not the same. In one aspect, afirst zone having a first material composition may include a firststretch characteristic, mold characteristic, and/or thickness, while asecond zone having a second material composition different than thefirst composition may include a second stretch characteristic, moldcharacteristic, and/or thickness.

In one aspect, the thickness of the second layer 154 may vary. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, a portion of the second layer 154 may be thickerthan other portions of the second layer 154. These variances may be aresult of one or more molding techniques. For example, the thicknessbetween the surfaces indicated by arrows 156 and 158 may be greater thanthe thickness between the surfaces indicated between arrows 160 and 162.And in a further aspect, the thickness between the surfaces indicatedbetween arrows 160 and 162 may be greater than the thickness between thesurfaces indicated between arrows 164 and 166. In some aspects, thesecond layer 154 that corresponds to the second zone 150 of the leftliner cup 132 may have a thickness that is less than the second layer154 that corresponds to the first zone 148 of the left liner cup 132. Itwill be understood that thickness of the first and second layers 152 and154 is merely one example of a physical difference resulting from amolding technique, which may be associated with one or more moldingcharacteristics.

It will be understood that other methods of manufacture, moldingtechniques, and the like are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure such that the exemplary techniques discussed herein are notlimiting. It will further be understood that the first and second zones148 and 150 may differ in thickness, density, elasticity, and othercharacteristics such that these examples are not limiting.

As the interconnected features of the adjustable support harness systemhave been described, a description of an exemplary adjustment of the bra100 is now provided. FIGS. 12-15 illustrate the exemplary movement ofthe left tab 140 in order to engage the harness system and adjust thebra 100. FIG. 12 depicts a rear view of the bra of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an aspect herein and FIG. 13 depicts a front view of the bra ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect herein. In FIG. 12, the left tab140, shown unattached to the left attachment element 144, is pulled awayfrom the midline axis 112 and out from the left side 108 of the bra body102. An arrow indicates the motion of pulling the left tab 140 away fromthe bra body 102. In FIG. 13, an arrow indicates the continueddirectional manipulation of the left tab 140 away from the midline axis112 and away from the bra body 102.

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of the bra of FIG. 1, in accordance with anaspect herein. The movement and/or manipulation of the left tab 140 maybe continued by pulling the left tab 140 toward the front portion 104 ofthe bra body 102. The left tab 140, being coupled to the left harnessstrap 136, exerts a force on an end of the left harness strap 136coupled to the tab, thereby moving and pulling the left harness strap136. When the left tab 140 is pulled forward, the left tab 140 and atleast a portion of the left harness strap 136 begin to wrap around theleft side 108 of the bra body 102. Additionally, the left harness strap136 is pulled further through one or more of a series of maintainers atthe back portion 106. In effect, the left harness strap 136 is beingtightened (e.g., a physical length of a harness strap does not change,merely an effective length because, as more of a harness strap's lengthmoves toward the front portion 104, less of the harness strap's lengthis available at the back portion 106).

Moreover, another portion of the left harness strap 136 slides from theinterior to the exterior of the bra body 102 via the second aperture120. The movement or sliding of the left harness strap 136 through thesecond aperture 120 creates an upward force on the left liner cup 132 towhich the left harness strap 136 is attached. The left liner cup 132 ispulled upward toward the second aperture 120 as the left harness strap136 escapes to the exterior of the bra body 102 via the second aperture120. Therefore, as the left tab 140 is manipulated outward from themidline axis 112 and/or toward the front portion 104, the left liner cup132 is lifted and/or shifted from a first support position to a secondsupport position. The second support position may correspond to a changein support level, tightness, and/or degree of lift in comparison to thefirst support position or an initial position. When a desired supportlevel, tightness, and/or degree of lift is met by a change in positionof the right and/or left liner cups, the left tab 140 is coupled to theleft attachment element 144 and/or the right tab 138 is coupled to theright attachment element 142.

And at FIG. 15, it depicts a perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an aspect herein. The left tab 140 is depicted aspartially coupled (e.g., in the process of being coupled) to the leftattachment element 144. In one aspect, when the left tab 140 is coupledto the left attachment element 144, a fastener or fastening mechanismholds the left tab 140 in place, securing the harness system at thedesired support level, tightness, and/or degree of lift. Exemplaryfasteners include hook-and-loop type fasteners, ties, buttons, snaps,and the like. Similarly, when the bra 100 is in an as-wornconfiguration, manipulating the right tab 138 away from the midline axis112 and toward the front portion 104 adjusts a length of the rightharness strap 134 and shifts the right liner cup 130 from a firstsupport position to a second support position.

In this way, manipulating the right and left harness straps 134 and 136may be used to customize the fit of the bra 100 and/or to customize asupport level for an activity. By manipulating one or more of the rightand left tabs 138 and 140 and coupling each to one of the right and leftattachment elements 142 and 144, each of the right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 may be effectively tightened or loosened and each ofthe liner cups may be adjusted. Tightening of the right and left harnessstraps 134 and 136 creates an upward force (e.g., a pull) on eachrespective right and left liner cups 130 and 132. The upward force movesor shifts one or more of the right and left liner cups 130 and 132upward (e.g., a lift) with respect to the midline axis 112, from a firstsupport position to a second support position. Generally, the secondsupport position may provide more support and stability to the breasttissue than the first support position, such that breast tissue issecured and breast tissue movement is reduced or minimized. The secondsupport position may be achieved by placing the tab as close as possibleto the front portion 104. Compared to the second support position, thefirst support position of a liner cup may provide less support andreduced stability to the breast tissue so that breast tissue may have agreater degree of movement in the cup liner 128. The first supportposition may be achieved by placing the tab close to the back portion106. As will be understood in the art, a wearer may desire greater orless support depending on a physical activity. Therefore, tightening aharness strap via the harness system enables the bra 100 to provideincreased support. The closer a tab is placed to the front portion 104,the greater the degree of breast tissue support, cup lift, and backposture support may be provided by the bra 100.

The adjustment provided by the harness system described herein providesthat one single manipulation, applied separately to each side of a bra100, may be used to adjust a length of a harness strap, a degree of liftof a liner cup, and an amount of back or posture support.

FIGS. 16 and 17 depict an exemplary garment 200 including an adjustableharness system in accordance with an aspect herein. In one aspect, theexemplary garment 200 includes a front portion 204, a back portion 206,a lower margin 203, a first side 208 and a second side 210 determinedwith respect to a hypothetical midline axis 212, a first underarm area211, a second underarm area 213, a first shoulder strap 214, and asecond shoulder strap 216, similar to those previously described withrespect to illustrative FIG. 1. The first shoulder strap 214 and thesecond shoulder strap 216 have a first opening 218 and second opening220, respectively, in one aspect. The garment 200 further comprises aliner 222, a first harness strap 224, and a second harness strap 226,similar to those previously described with respect to illustrative FIG.1, in some aspects. And in some aspects, the back portion 206 furtherincludes one or more pairs of maintainers, including a first maintainer228A and a second maintainer 228B, as determined with respect to thehypothetical midline axis 212, wherein the first maintainer 228Acorresponds to the first side 208 and the second maintainer 228Bcorresponds to the second side 210, in one aspect. Generally, theposition of the first harness strap 224 and the second harness strap 226within the apex region of the first shoulder strap 214 or the secondshoulder strap 216, respectively, is maintained by the first opening 218and the second opening 220, as have been previously described. Otherelements shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be similar to those previouslydiscussed in detail herein.

The first harness strap 224 and the second harness strap 226 are lacedthrough maintainers of the back portion 206 or are otherwise tethered toattachment points of the back portion 206, in aspects. In the aspect ofFIGS. 16 and 17, at least a portion of the back portion 206 is overlaidwith a layer of fabric such as, for example, a mesh fabric. In one suchaspect, the overlay portion 205 is a layer of fabric that covers aportion of the back portion 206 corresponding to the first harness strap224 and the second harness strap 226 as they are laced throughmaintainers. Accordingly, the overlay portion 205 may reduceopportunities for the first harness strap 224, the second harness strap226, and maintainers to be caught, snagged, or pulled accidentally, forexample. In some aspects, the overlay portion 205 provides for increasedprotection of the adjustable harness system while providing at leastsome visibility allowing for inspection of the adjustable harnesssystem. Exemplary fabrics might include a sheer fabric, a mesh fabric,lace, burn-out fabric, fabric treated to have perforations or cut-outs,or a knit fabric. In aspects having an overlay portion 205, a thirdopening 225 and a fourth opening 227 may be present in the overlayportion 205 to enable the first harness strap 224 and the second harnessstrap 226 to pass through the overlay portion 205 so that the firstharness strap 224 and the second harness strap 226 are exteriorlyaccessible.

Additionally, one or more portions of the garment 200 may be coated ortreated in order to increase the modulus of elasticity of those one ormore portions, in some aspects. In the aspect of FIGS. 16 and 17, anupper portion 230 of the front portion 204 is treated to increase themodulus of elasticity and further, in some aspects, to create lockdown,as previously described herein. By increasing the modulus of elasticityof the upper portion 230, for example, upward and/or outward movement ofbreast tissue may be reduced, or further, minimized. Similarly, aportion surrounding each of the first opening 218 and the second opening220 may be treated to increase the modulus of elasticity, in one aspect.Exemplary treatments include coating the material, either at the surfaceof the material or by coating fibers, with a material such aspolyurethane (PU). By increasing the modulus of elasticity at, near, orsurrounding each of the first opening 218 and the second opening 220,the first opening 218 and the second opening 220 are reinforced by theadded rigidity, for example. Additionally, the increased modulus ofelasticity may prevent fraying or tearing of materials at or near thefirst opening 218 and the second opening 220, in some aspects.

Continuing with FIGS. 16 and 17, in some aspects, the garment 200includes releasable closures for donning and doffing the garment 200. Inthe aspect of FIGS. 16 and 17, the body 202 includes a closure 232 forrepeatedly opening and closing the body 202 at the front portion 204.Additionally or alternatively, the liner 222 comprises one or morefasteners 234 for opening and closing the liner 222 toward the frontportion 204, in some aspects. In one aspect, the body 202 and the liner222 are attached to one another in a lengthwise manner (e.g., withstitching, heat bonding, or adhesives) along the front portion 204 thatcorresponds to the closure 232 and the one or more fasteners 234.Accordingly, the body 202 and the liner 222 may be donned and doffedtogether as attached to one another, in such aspects. Exemplary closuresand fasteners include zippers, snaps, buttons, hook-and-eye mechanisms,and hook-and-loop type fasteners, for example.

In one aspect, the body 202 is permanently affixed to the liner 222lengthwise (as previously described with respect to a lower margin 203and a hypothetical midline axis 212) along the closure 232 and the oneor more fasteners 234. In another aspect, the body 202 is notpermanently affixed, but is “releaseably” affixed to the liner 222 suchthat the liner 222 can be attached, detached, and reattached to the body202 when desired. Additionally or alternatively, the body 202 and liner222 may be continuously affixed to one another, or non-continuouslyaffixed to one another using one or more attachment points, for example.The body 202 and liner 222 may be attached to one another usingstitching, adhesives, snaps, and buttons, for example. However, theaspect depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17 should not be construed as limitingand aspects lacking such closures and/or fasteners are considered to bewithin the scope of this disclosure.

And, in some aspects, a first harness strap 224 and the second harnessstrap 226 are each tethered, loosely, to the first shoulder strap 214and the second shoulder strap 216. The tethering is accomplished using amaintainer or a strip to create an opening through which a harness strapis passed, is one such aspect. As shown in exemplary FIG. 16, the firstharness strap 224 is loosely held by a first positioning strip 236 andthe second harness strap 226 is held a second positioning strip 238. Thefirst harness strap 224 is held between the first shoulder strap 214 andthe first positioning strip 236, as the first positioning strip 236 isattached to the first shoulder strap 214, in one such aspect. And thesecond harness strap 226 is held between the second shoulder strap 216and the second positioning strip 238, for example. Generally, the firstpositioning strip 236 and the second positioning strip 238 are attachedto respective shoulder straps in order to confine respective harnessstraps therein. This may reduce lateral or side-to-side slippage of theharness straps during adjustment, for example.

The disclosure provided above is intended to illustrate some possiblecombinations of various aspects associated with the adjustable supportbra with harness system. Those skilled in the art will understand,however, that within each embodiment, some features may be optional.Moreover, different features discussed in different embodiments could becombined in still other embodiments and would still fall within thescope of the attached claims. Some features could be used independentlyin some embodiments, while still other features could be combined invarious different ways in still other embodiments. The purpose served bythe disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the variousfeatures and concepts related to the aspects described herein, not tolimit the scope thereof. One skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat numerous variations and modifications may be made to theconfigurations described above without departing from the scope ofaspects described herein, as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of apparel comprising: a body having afront portion, a back portion, a first side portion, a second sideportion, a first shoulder strap extending between the front portion andthe back portion and including a first aperture, and a second shoulderstrap extending between the front portion and the back portion andincluding a second aperture; a liner positioned internal to at least thefront portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion ofthe body, the liner having a first harness strap adapted to extendthrough the first aperture and terminating in a first tab, the linerfurther having a second harness strap adapted to extend through thesecond aperture and terminating in a second tab; a first attachmentelement located on the first side portion of the body; and a secondattachment element located on the second side portion of the body,wherein the first tab is adapted to be adjustably secured to one of thefirst attachment element or the second attachment element, and whereinthe second tab is adapted to be adjustably secured to one of the firstattachment element or the second attachment element.
 2. The article ofapparel of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises at least a first side atleast partially aligned with the first side portion of the body, and asecond side at least partially aligned with the second side portion ofthe body, wherein the first harness strap of the liner is located on thefirst side of the liner, and wherein the second harness strap of theliner is located on the second side of the liner.
 3. The article ofapparel of claim 1, wherein when the first tab is secured to one of thefirst attachment element or the second attachment element, the liner isadjusted from a first support position to a second support position. 4.The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein when the second tab issecured to one of the first attachment element or the second attachmentelement, the liner is adjusted from a first support position to a secondsupport position.
 5. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein theliner further comprises a first liner cup, and wherein when the firsttab is secured to one of the first attachment element or the secondattachment element, the first liner cup is adjusted from a first supportposition to a second support position.
 6. The article of apparel ofclaim 5, wherein the liner further comprises a second liner cup, andwherein when the second tab is secured to one of the first attachmentelement or the second attachment element, the second liner cup isadjusted from a third support position to a fourth support position. 7.The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the back portion comprises afirst pair of maintainers, and wherein the first harness strap isfurther adapted to pass through at least a first maintainer of the firstpair of maintainers.
 8. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein theback portion comprises a first pair of maintainers, and wherein thesecond harness strap is further adapted to pass through at least a firstmaintainer of the first pair of maintainers.
 9. An article of apparelcomprising: a body comprising a front portion, a back portion, a firstside, a second side, a first shoulder strap having a first aperture, anda second shoulder strap having a second aperture, the back portioncomprising a first pair of maintainers; a first attachment elementlocated on the first side of the body; a second attachment elementlocated on the second side of the body; and a liner positioned internalto the body, the liner having a first harness strap and a second harnessstrap, wherein the first harness strap is adapted to pass through thefirst aperture and at least a first maintainer of the first pair ofmaintainers, the first harness strap having a first tab adapted toattach to the first attachment element, and wherein the second harnessstrap is adapted to pass through the second aperture and at least asecond maintainer of the first pair of maintainers, the second harnessstrap having a second tab that is adapted to attach to the secondattachment element.
 10. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein theliner comprises at least a first side at least partially aligned withthe first side of the body, and a second side at least partially alignedwith the second side of the body, wherein the first harness strap of theliner is located on the first side of the liner, and wherein the secondharness strap of the liner is located on the second side of the liner.11. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein when the first tab of thefirst harness strap is attached to the first attachment element, theliner is adjusted from a first support position to a second supportposition.
 12. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein the linerfurther comprises a first liner cup, and wherein when the first tab ofthe first harness strap is attached to the first attachment element, thefirst liner cup is adjusted from a first support position to a secondsupport position.
 13. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein whenthe second tab of the second harness strap is attached to the secondattachment element, the liner is adjusted from a first support positionto a second support position.
 14. The article of apparel of claim 9,wherein the liner further comprises a second liner cup, and wherein whenthe second tab of the second harness strap is attached to the secondattachment element, the second liner cup is adjusted from a firstsupport position to a second support position.
 15. The article ofapparel of claim 9, wherein the first shoulder strap is located on thefirst side of the body and wherein the second shoulder strap is locatedon the second side of the body.
 16. The article of apparel of claim 9,wherein each of the first pair of maintainers is positioned on differentsides of a midline axis, and wherein the first harness strap crosses themidline axis an even number of times.
 17. The article of apparel ofclaim 9, wherein each of the first pair of maintainers is positioned ondifferent side of a midline axis, and wherein the second harness strapcrosses the midline axis an even number of times.
 18. The article ofapparel of claim 9, wherein the first pair of maintainers comprises twomaintainers.
 19. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein the firstpair of maintainers comprises three or more maintainers.
 20. An articleof apparel comprising: a body comprising a front portion, a back portioncomprising a first pair of maintainers, a first side having a firstshoulder strap with a first aperture, and a second side having a secondshoulder strap with a second aperture; a first attachment elementlocated on the first side of the body; a second attachment elementlocated on the second side of the body; and a liner positioned internalto the body, the liner comprising a first side and a second side, theliner having a first harness strap on the first side of the liner and asecond harness strap on the second side of the liner, wherein the firstharness strap is adapted to pass through the first aperture and at leasta first maintainer of the first pair of maintainers, the first harnessstrap having a first tab that is adapted to attach to the firstattachment element, and wherein the second harness strap is adapted topass through the second aperture and at least a second maintainer of thefirst pair of maintainers, the second harness strap having a second tabthat is adapted to attach to the second attachment element.